Trans-Tasman rivals set for battle on Anzac Day

Tuesday, 23 April 2019 10:30:37 AM Australia/Sydney

The Black Sticks final home match in the FIH Pro League for 2019 is on Thursday April 25th (Anzac Day). The men and women will take on their Australian counterparts at North Harbour Hockey Stadium in what promises to be two entertaining matches.

The Vantage Black Sticks Men and Women will have the traditional poppy design heat pressed onto their uniforms in a special tribute to our servicemen and women on Anzac Day.

The New Zealand Defence Force Men and Women will be playing the Australian Defence force in two curtain raisers which will begin with the women at 10:30am, followed by the men at midday on the 25th.

Vantage Black Sticks Women’s coach Sean Dancer has made one change to the team that took on Argentina in Rosario a week ago. This sees Sally Rutherford return to be one of the two goalkeepers in the match day squad. Entering the final quarter of that game the sides were locked at 1-1 before Argentina managed to pull away. Dancer will be looking for a complete performance from his side as they look to back up their impressive win over the Australians from Sydney a few weeks ago.

Dancer has retained the youthful look of the side with rising players Katie Doar, Olivia Shannon, Deanna Ritchie and Holly Pearson continuing to stamp their mark on the international game.

Australian striker Savannah Fitzpatrick is leading the Australian side with 3 goals in the tournament. Watch out for her determination and hustle in the circle as she tries to put the New Zealand defenders under pressure.

Vantage Black Sticks Men’s coach Darren Smith has made just one change to the team that was beaten 4-3 by Argentina in Rosario. Arun Panchia returns to the side to captain the team in the wake of Blair Tarrant’s absence.

The Black Sticks will be looking for improvements in the opening quarter of the match which has been their achilles heel in the early stages of the FIH Pro League. The Black Sticks fought back gallantly after finding themselves behind by 3 goals early in the first quarter against Argentina.

Xavier Guy the young North Harbour striker has been named to play his second match and his first match in front of his home crowd at North Harbour.

Australia possess two lightning drag flickers in Jeremy Hayward and Blake Govers. If Australia earn penalty corners in the match watch as they look to put Richard Joyce and George Enersen under immense pressure in the New Zealand goal.